Receptacle for storing audio-visual media cases

ABSTRACT

A receptacle for storing an article, and usable with a similar receptacle for forming a storage unit, including a base defining a top surface and a bottom surface, a substantially elongated rib extending substantially outwardly from the top surface and a substantially elongated groove provided on the bottom surface. The groove is configured and sized to releasably engage a rib of the similar receptacle. The groove is further oriented at an acute angle with respect to the rib.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to receptacles for storingaudio-visual media cases. More specifically, the present invention isconcerned with a receptacle that can engage another similar receptacleat an acute angle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Receptacles in the form of modular trays for storing audio-visualmedia cases come in a variety of forms. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,191,983 issued on Mar. 9, 1993 describes modular trays that can bedirectly stacked on top of each other. U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,122 issued onMay 21, 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,948 issued on Feb. 10, 1998describe modular trays that can be directly stacked on top of each otheror connected to each other side-by-side.

[0003] However, the prior art receptacles can be attached to each otherin only a limited number of ways. Accordingly, a storage unit formed bya plurality of such receptacles can only have a limited number ofshapes, while a user of such receptacles may desire to assemble storageunits having more complex shapes for aesthetic or other reasons.

[0004] Against this background, there exists a need in the industry toprovide a novel receptacle for storing audio-visual cases.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide animproved receptacle that can engage a further receptacle at an acuteangle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a receptacle forstoring an article, and usable with a similar receptacle for forming astorage unit, including a base defining a top surface and a bottomsurface, a substantially elongated rib extending substantially outwardlyfrom the top surface and a substantially elongated groove provided onthe bottom surface. The groove is configured and sized to releasablyengage a rib of the similar receptacle. The groove is further orientedat an acute angle with respect to the rib.

[0007] In another broad aspect, the invention provides a storage unitincluding first and second receptacles. The first receptacle includes afirst base defining a first top surface and a first bottom surface and asubstantially elongated rib extending substantially outwardly from thefirst top surface. The second receptacle includes a second base defininga second top surface and a second bottom surface, the second base beingsubstantially identical to the first base. The second receptacle furtherincludes a substantially elongated groove provided on the bottomsurface. The groove releasably engages the rib to connect the secondreceptacle to the first receptacle. The rib and the groove are orientedsuch that when the first and second receptacles are connected, the firstbase is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the second base.

[0008] In yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a receptaclefor storing an article, the receptacle being usable with a similarreceptacle for forming a storage unit. The receptacle includes a basedefining a top surface and a bottom surface, a substantially elongatedmale means provided on the top surface and a substantially elongatedfemale means provided on the bottom surface. The male means is orientedat an acute angle with respect to the female means. The male means andthe female means are configured and sized such that the receptacle andthe similar receptacle are interlocked upon the insertion of the malemeans of the receptacle into a female means of the similar receptacle.

[0009] In yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a receptaclefor storing an article, the receptacle being usable with a similarreceptacle for forming a storage unit. The receptacle includes a basedefining a top surface and a bottom surface, a storage bay defined atleast in part by the base and configured and sized for receiving thearticle, a substantially elongated rib extending substantially outwardlyfrom the top surface and a substantially elongated groove provided onthe bottom surface. The groove is configured and sized to releasablyengage a rib of the similar receptacle. The groove is oriented at anacute angle with respect to the rib.

[0010] In yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a receptaclefor storing an article, the receptacle being usable with a similarreceptacle for forming a storage unit. The receptacle includes a storagebay configured and sized to store the article, a bottom portion locatedbelow the storage bay and a top portion located above the storage bay.The bottom and top portions are configured and sized such that thebottom portion of the receptacle can releasably engage a top portion ofthe similar receptacle in at least five discrete coplanar orientations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the appended drawings:

[0012]FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of areceptacle;

[0013]FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 1A;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage unit including thereceptacle of FIG. 1A;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another storage unit including thereceptacle of FIG. 1A;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pivot module included in thestorage units of FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0017]FIG. 5A is a bottom plan view of two receptacles interlocked withan offset in one direction;

[0018]FIG. 5B is a bottom plan view of two receptacles interlocked withan offset in two directions;

[0019]FIG. 5C is a bottom plan view of two receptacles interlocked withaligned centers and oriented at an acute angle with respect to eachother;

[0020]FIG. 5D is a bottom plan view of two receptacles interlocked withoffset centers and oriented at an acute angle with respect to eachother;

[0021]FIG. 5E is a bottom plan view of three receptacles interlocked;and

[0022]FIG. 5F is a bottom plan view of three receptacles interlockedwith an offset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a receptacle 2 for storing an article.The receptacle 2 includes a base 4 defining a top surface 6 and a bottomsurface 8. The receptacle 2 further includes a storage bay 9, which willbe described in more details hereinbelow. Two springs 11 and 13 areprovided in the storage bay 9. A plurality of substantially elongatedribs, hereinbelow referred to collectively by the reference numeral 10,extend substantially outwardly from the top surface 6 and a plurality ofsubstantially elongated grooves, hereinbelow referred to collectively bythe reference numeral 12 are provided on the bottom surface 8. A groove,for example groove 12 ₉ is configured and sized to releasably engage arib, for example rib 10 ₁, of another receptacle 2, the groove 12 ₉being oriented at an acute angle with respect to the rib 10 ₁. In aspecific example of implementation, the groove 12 ₉ is configured andsized to releasably interlock with the rib 10 ₁. The reader skilled inthe art will appreciate that although the receptacle 2 includes aplurality of grooves 12 and a plurality of ribs 10, an embodimentincluding a single groove and a single rib is within the scope of theinvention as defined in the claims recited hereinbelow.

[0024] In the specific embodiment illustrated on FIGS. 1A and 1B, someof the grooves 12, such as groove 12 ₃, are configured and sized toreleasably engage the ribs 10 of another receptacle, while some othergrooves 12, such as groove 12 ₄, are configured and sized to releasablyengage simultaneously a rib 10 of a first other receptacle and a rib 10of a second other said receptacle. The engagement of ribs and grooves toone or more other receptacles will be described in further detailsherein below.

[0025] In other words, receptacle 2 includes the base 4, male means inthe form of ribs 10 and female means in the form of grooves 12, the maleand female means being configured and sized such that two receptacles 2can be interlocked upon the insertion the male means of a firstreceptacle 2 into the female means of the second receptacle 2. One malemeans is oriented at an acute angle with respect to one female means.

[0026] Grooves 12 and ribs 10 may assume diverse configurations to allowreceptacles to be connected in a variety of orientations. For example,in receptacle 2, groove 12 ₃ is parallel to rib 10 ₁, while groove 12 ₄is perpendicular to rib 10 ₁. Consequently, groove 12 ₃ is perpendicularto groove 12 ₄. In addition, groove 12, is oriented at an acute anglewith respect to grooves 12 ₃ and 12 ₄. In receptacle 2, the acute angleis 45 degrees, but other angles are possible without detracting from theclaimed invention. Finally, two grooves, for example grooves 12 ₃ and 12₅ can be parallel.

[0027] In summary, the receptacle 2 for storing an article includes astorage bay 9 configured and sized to store the article, a bottomportion located below the storage bay and a top portion located abovethe storage bay. The bottom portion includes the grooves 12 and the topportion includes the ribs 10. The bottom and top portions are configuredand sized such that the bottom portion of a first receptacle canreleasably engage the top portion of a second receptacle in at leastfive discrete coplanar orientations.

[0028] As can be seen from FIG. 1B, the grooves 12 define a plurality ofsubstantially straight channels, each channel including at least twocollinear grooves 12. For example, grooves 12 ₄, 12 ₅, 12 ₆,and 12 ₇ arecollinear and therefore define a channel 14 ₁.

[0029] The grooves 12 define channels that can be parallel butnon-collinear, perpendicular or oriented at an acute angle with respectto each other. For example, a channel including grooves 12 ₁, 12 ₈, 12₁₀, 12 ₁₁, 12 ₁₂ and 12 ₁₃, channel 14 ₂ is at an acute angle, here 45degrees, with respect to the channel 14 ₁. In addition, channels 14 ₁and 14 ₂ intersect at the location designated by the reference numeral16. The channels define an interconnected network of channels.

[0030] The network of channels may include a first sub-network ofchannels arranged in a grid configuration. For example, all the channelsof receptacle 2 which are either parallel or perpendicular to the rib 10₁ constitute such a first sub-network of channels. In addition, thenetwork of channels may include a second sub-network of channelsarranged in a grid configuration. In the receptacle 2, all channelswhich are angled at 45 degrees with respect to rib 10 ₁ constitute anexample of such a second sub-network of channels. In receptacle 2, whilenot an essential characteristic, the first and second sub-networks ofchannels are angled with respect to each other at an angle of 45 degreesand have coincident centers at the location identified by the referencenumeral 16.

[0031] The network of channels is defined by a plurality ofsubstantially polygonal projections, referred-to collectively by thereference numeral 18, projecting outwardly from the bottom surface 8.The projections 18 can take, among other shapes, the form of asubstantially triangular projection 18 ₁ or of a substantially squareprojection 18 ₂. Although not shown in the drawings, substantiallyrectangular projections of projections having other shapes can also beprovided on the bottom surface 8.

[0032] In receptacle 2, the projections 18 each include a plurality ofstraight walls connected by a plurality of arcs. For example, projection18 ₁ includes three straight walls 20 ₁, 20 ₂ and 20 ₃ as well as threearcs 22 ₁, 22 ₂ and 22 ₃. The plurality of straight walls and arcsdefine a hollow. Optionally, a projection, such as projection 18 ₂,includes at least one reinforcing member 24 ₁ extending through ahollow.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 1A, the ribs 10 of receptacle 2 define afirst side wall 26 ₁, a second side wall 26 ₂ and a back wall 26 ₃connected to the first and second side walls 26 ₁ and 26 ₂. The base 4,the first side wall 26 ₁, the second side wall 26 ₂ and the back wall 26₃ can define a storage bay.

[0034] Optionally, as shown on FIG. 1A, ribs 10 of receptacle 2 furtherdefine first and second front sub-walls 26 ₄ and 26 ₅ respectivelyconnected to the first and second side walls 26 ₁ and 26 ₂. The firstand second front sub-walls 26 ₄ and 26 ₅ define a front opening 28.Also, receptacle 2 includes optional first and second interior walls 26₆ and 26 ₇ projecting from the base 4. The first and second interiorwalls 26 ₆ and 26 ₇ are substantially parallel to respectively the firstand second walls 26 ₁ and 26 ₂. Also, the first and second interiorwalls 26 ₆ and 26 ₇ are connected respectively to the first and secondfront sub-walls 26 ₄ and 26 ₅ and to the first and second side walls 26₁ and 26 ₂. When, the first and second interior walls 26 ₆ and 26 ₇ arepresent they define the storage bay 9 for storing the article, alongwith the back wall 26 ₃ and the base 4. IN receptacle 2, the storage bay9 is configured and sized to accept either a Compact Disc (CD) case or aDigital Video Disk (DVD) case.

[0035] The first and second side walls 26 ₁ and 26 ₂, the back wall 26 ₃and the first and second front sub-walls 26 ₄ and 26 ₅ all have a commonprojection height outward of base 4, hereinafter referred to as a firstprojection height. In addition, the first and second interior walls 26 ₆and 26 ₇ have a common projection height outward of base 4, hereinafterreferred to as a second projection height. In a specific example ofimplementation, the first and second projection heights differ by anamount equivalent to a depth of the grooves 12, the second projectionheight being smaller than the first projection height.

[0036] The receptacle 2 further includes a protuberance 30 projectingoutwardly from the base 4 into the opening 28. The protuberance projectsfrom the base 4 at a third height, the third height being smaller thanthe first and second heights.

[0037] In receptacle 2, the base 4 takes the form of a substantiallyplane and square plate, although other forms of the base, such as arectangular plane base, among others, are within the scope of theclaimed invention. Also, springs 11 and 13 each take the form of aresilient member connected to the back wall 26 ₃. The springs 11 and 13each have a substantially uniform cross-section in a plane parallel tothe base 4. Below each spring 11 and 13, the base 4 includes first andsecond narrow openings 32 and 34 substantially shaped as thecross-sections of the first and second springs 11 and 13 and locatedtherebelow.

[0038] The receptacle 2 is integrally molded with a polymer. Therefore,the openings 32 and 34 can allow springs 11 and 13 to be detached fromthe base 4 during the molding process.

[0039] When an article is inserted in storage bay 9 through the frontopening 28, springs 11 and 13 are depressed. Past a certain insertionpoint, the article abuts on the protuberance 30 and is maintained inposition through cooperation between the springs 11 and 13 and theprotuberance 30. When a user desires access to the article, he canremove the article from the receptacle 2 by lifting slightly the articleabove the protuberance 30, thereby allowing the springs 11 and 13 topush at least partially the article outside of the storage bay 9.

[0040] Two or more receptacles 2 are interlocked to form a storage unit.Examples of two storage units 36 and 38 are presented respectively onFIGS. 2 and 3. Storage units 36 and 38 each include a plurality ofreceptacles 2, a pivot module 40 and a top module 42

[0041] As shown on FIG. 4, the pivot module includes an upper part 48and a lower part 50. The upper part 48 is rotatably connected to thelower part 50. Such connections being well known in the art, they willnot be described in further details herein below.

[0042] The lower portion 50 is provided with elongated grooves 12configured and sized similarly to the grooves 12 of the receptacle 2.Also, the upper portion 48 is provided with elongated ribs 10 configuredand sized similarly to the ribs 10 of receptacle 2. Therefore, the pivotmodule 40 can be locked to receptacles 2 in a way very similar to theway receptacles 2 are interlocked.

[0043] The top module 42 includes a substantially flat portion providedwith a plurality of grooves 12 adapted to interlock at least one rib 10of a receptacle 2. The grooves 12 are provided on a bottom surface ofthe top module 42 and are identical to grooves 12 of the receptacle 2.In addition, the top module 42 includes a substantially hemisphericportion 44 provided with a plurality of indentations 46 configured andsized to receive an article such as the article 47 stored in areceptacle 2.

[0044] In storage units 36 and 38, the grooves 12 and ribs 10 ofreceptacles 2, pivot module 40 and top module 42are configured and sizedto such that some of the grooves 12 can releasably interlock with one ofthe ribs 10 of another receptacle 2 or pivot module 40. In addition,some of the grooves 12 of all these modules and receptacles canreleasably interlock simultaneously with two ribs 10 of respectively tworeceptacles 2. Ribs and grooves interlock through friction.

[0045] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, receptacles 2, top modules 40and pivot modules 42 can interlock in a variety of different ways. Whilethese different ways relate to receptacles 2, top modules 40 and pivotmodules 42, the following discussion will concentrate on theinterlocking of receptacles 2 for clarity reasons.

[0046] Receptacles 2 can interlock with many relative offsets andangular positions. FIG. 5A shows a bottom plan view of a receptacle 50interlocked with a receptacle 52, both identical to receptacle 2. Someof the grooves 12 of receptacle 50 engage the rib 10 ₂ of receptacle 52such that receptacles 50 and 52 are similarly oriented and offset in asingle direction. In other words, the bases 4 of receptacles 50 and 52are aligned on two edges an offset on two other edges. Similarly, FIG.5B shows a bottom plan view of receptacles 50 and 52 interlocked suchthat some of the grooves 12 of receptacle 50 engage the ribs 10 ₁ and 10₃ of receptacle 52 such that receptacles 50 and 52 are similarlyoriented and offset in a two directions. In other words, the bases 4 ofreceptacles 50 and 52 have no aligned edges. In addition, although notshown in details in the drawings, receptacles 50 and 52 can be similarlyoriented and aligned with no offset.

[0047]FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate how receptacles 50 and 52 can beinterlocked at an acute angle with respect to each other, either with nooffset, or with an offset. In addition receptacles 50 and 52 could beinterlocked at a 90 or 180 degrees angles, with or without offset (notshown in details in the drawings).

[0048]FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate three interlocked receptacles 50, 52and 54. Groove 12 of receptacle 50 interlock simultaneously with rib10,1 of receptacle 52 and rib 10,2 of receptacle 54. On FIG. 5E, thereis no offset of combined receptacles 52 and 54 with respect toreceptacle 50, while there is such an offset on FIG. 5F.

[0049] Many alternative embodiments of the present invention arepossible. For example, front sub-walls 26 ₄ and 26 ₅ need not bepresent. Also, the springs 11 and 13 can take alternative forms.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove byway of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, withoutdeparting from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1- A receptacle for storing an article, saidreceptacle being usable with a similar receptacle for forming a storageunit, said receptacle comprising: a. a base defining a top surface and abottom surface; b. a substantially elongated rib extending substantiallyoutwardly from said top surface; and c. a substantially elongated grooveprovided on said bottom surface; wherein i. said groove is configuredand sized to releasably engage a rib of said similar receptacle; and ii.said groove is oriented at an acute angle with respect to said rib. 2- Areceptacle as defined in claim 1, comprising a plurality ofsubstantially elongated grooves provided on said bottom surface, eachgroove from said plurality of grooves being configured and sized toreleasably engage the rib of said similar receptacle. 3- A receptacle asdefined in claim 2, said similar receptacle being a first similarreceptacle, said receptacle being further usable with a second similarreceptacle for forming a storage unit, wherein said plurality of groovesfurther includes a plurality of substantially elongated grooves a.provided on said bottom surface; and b. configured and sized toreleasably engage simultaneously the rib of said first similarreceptacle and a rib of a said second similar receptacle. 4- Areceptacle as defined in claim 3, comprising a plurality ofsubstantially elongated ribs extending substantially outwardly from saidtop surface. 5- A receptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein at least onegroove from said plurality of grooves is substantially perpendicular toat least one rib from said plurality of ribs. 6- A receptacle as definedin claim 4, wherein at least one groove from said plurality of groovesis substantially parallel to at least one rib from said plurality ofribs. 7- A receptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein at least twogrooves from said plurality of grooves are mutually substantiallycollinear. 8- A receptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein at least twogrooves from said plurality of grooves are mutually substantiallyparallel and substantially non-collinear. 9- A receptacle as defined inclaim 4, wherein at least two grooves from said plurality of grooves aremutually substantially perpendicular. 10- A receptacle as defined inclaim 4, wherein at least two grooves from said plurality grooves of areoriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. 11- A receptacleas defined in claim 4, wherein said plurality of grooves defines aplurality of substantially straight channels, each channel including atleast two substantially collinear grooves. 12- A receptacle as definedin claim 11, wherein said plurality of channels includes two mutuallysubstantially perpendicular channels. 13- A receptacle as defined inclaim 11, wherein said plurality of channels includes two substantiallyparallel and substantially non-collinear channels. 14- A receptacle asdefined in claim 11, wherein said plurality channels includes at leasttwo channels oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other. 15-A receptacle as defined in claim 14, wherein said two channels orientedat an acute angle with respect to each other are angled at 45 degreeswith respect to each other. 16- A receptacle as defined in claim 11,wherein at least two channels from said plurality of channels intersect.17- A receptacle as defined in claim 16, wherein said plurality ofchannels defines an interconnected network of channels. 18- A receptacleas defined in claim 17, wherein said network of channels includes afirst sub-network of channels substantially arranged in a gridconfiguration. 19- A receptacle as defined in claim 18, wherein saidnetwork of channels includes a second sub-network of channelssubstantially arranged in a grid configuration, said second sub-networkof channels being substantially angled with respect to said firstsub-network of channels. 20- A receptacles as defined in claim 19,wherein said first and second sub-networks of channels each have acenter, the centers of said first and second sub-networks of channelsbeing substantially coincident. 21- A receptacle as defined in claim 20,wherein said network of channels is defined by a plurality ofsubstantially polygonal projections projecting substantially outwardlyfrom said bottom surface. 22- A receptacle as defined in claim 21,wherein said plurality of substantially polygonal projections includesat least one substantially triangular projection. 23- A receptacle asdefined in claim 21, wherein said plurality of substantially polygonalprojections includes at least one substantially square projection. 24- Areceptacle as defined in claim 21, wherein said plurality ofsubstantially polygonal projections includes at least one substantiallyrectangular projection. 25- A receptacle as defined in claim 21, whereinat least one substantially polygonal projection from said plurality ofsubstantially polygonal projections includes a plurality of straightwalls connected by a plurality of arcs. 26- A receptacle as defined inclaim 25, wherein, said plurality of straight walls and said pluralityof arcs define a hollow. 27- A receptacle as defined in claim 26,wherein said at least one substantially polygonal projection includes atleast one reinforcing member extending through said hollow. 28- Areceptacle as defined in claim 4, wherein said plurality of ribs definesa first side wall, a second side wall and a back wall connected to saidfirst and second side walls. 29- A receptacle as defined in claim 28,wherein said base, said first side wall, said second side wall and saidback wall define a storage bay for storing the article. 30- A receptacleas defined in claim 28, wherein said plurality of ribs further definesfirst and second front sub-walls respectively connected to said firstand second side walls, said first and second sub-walls defining a frontopening. 31- A receptacle as defined in claim 30, further comprisingfirst and second interior walls, said first and second interior wallsincluding projections from said base at least in part substantiallyparallel to respectively said first and second walls, wherein said firstand second interior walls, said back wall and said base define a storagebay for storing the article. 32- A receptacle as defined in claim 31,wherein said storage bay is configured and sized to accept a CompactDisc (CD) case. 33- A receptacle as defined in claim 31, wherein saidstorage bay is configured and sized to accept a Digital Video Disk (DVD)case. 34- A receptacle as defined in claim 31, wherein: a. said firstand second side walls, said back wall and said first and second frontsub-walls each have a projection height outward of said base, theprojection heights of said first and second side walls, said back walland said first and second front sub-walls being substantially identicaland equal to a first projection height; and b. said first and secondinterior walls each have a projection height outward of said base, theprojection heights of said first and second interior walls beingsubstantially identical and equal to a second projection height. 35- Areceptacle as defined in claim 34, wherein said second projection heightis smaller than said first projection height. 36- A receptacle asdefined in claim 35, wherein said first and second interior walls areconnected respectively to said first and second front sub-walls. 37- Areceptacle as defined in claim 36, wherein said first and secondinterior walls are further connected respectively to said first andsecond side walls. 38- A receptacle as defined in claim 37, furthercomprising a first spring provided inside said storage bay. 39- Areceptacle as defined in claim 38, wherein said first spring includes afirst resilient member connected to said back wall. 40- A receptacle asdefined in claim 39, further comprising a second spring provided insidesaid storage bay, said second spring including a second resilient memberconnected to said back wall. 41- A receptacle as defined in claim 40,further including a protuberance projecting substantially outwardly fromsaid base in said opening. 42- A receptacle as defined in claim 41,wherein said protuberance projects at a third height outward of saidbase, the third height being smaller than the first and second heights43- A receptacle as defined in claim 42, wherein said base includes asubstantially plane plate. 44- A receptacle as defined in claim 43,wherein said substantially plane plate is substantially square. 45- Areceptacle as defined in claim 44, wherein: a. said first and secondresilient members each have a substantially uniform cross-section in aplane substantially parallel to said substantially plane plate; and b.said substantially plane plate includes first and second narrow openingsrespectively substantially shaped as the cross-sections of said firstand second resilient members and located therebelow. 46- A receptacle asdefined in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is integrally molded. 47- Areceptacle as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes apolymer. 48- A receptacle as defined in claim 47, wherein saidreceptacle consists in a one-piece molded polymer object. 49- Areceptacle for storing an article as defined in claim 1, wherein saidgroove is configured and sized to releasably interlock with the rib ofsaid similar receptacle. 50- A receptacle for storing an article asdefined in claim 49, wherein said groove is configures and sized toreleasable interlock with the rib of said similar receptacle throughfriction. 51- A storage unit comprising a first and a second receptacle,wherein: a. said first receptacle includes: i. a first base defining afirst top surface and a first bottom surface; and ii. a substantiallyelongated rib extending substantially outwardly from said first topsurface; b. said second receptacle includes: i. a second base defining asecond top surface and a second bottom surface, said second base beingsubstantially identical to said first base; and ii. a substantiallyelongated groove provided on said bottom surface; and c. said groovereleasably engages said rib to connect said second receptacle to saidfirst receptacle, said rib and said groove being oriented such that whensaid first and second receptacles are connected, said first base isoriented at an acute angle with respect to said second base. 52- Astorage unit as defined in 51, comprising a plurality of substantiallyidentical receptacles, said first and second receptacles being part ofsaid plurality of receptacles, each receptacle from said plurality ofreceptacles including: a. a base defining a first top surface and afirst bottom surface and having a center; b. a plurality ofsubstantially elongated ribs extending substantially outwardly from saidfirst top surface; c. a plurality of substantially elongated groovesprovided on said bottom surface; d. a storage bay configured and sizedto receive an article; wherein e. each groove from said plurality ofgrooves is configured and sized to either: i. releasably interlock atleast one rib of another said receptacle from said plurality ofreceptacles; or ii. releasably interlock simultaneously at least onesaid rib of a first other said receptacle from said plurality ofreceptacles and at least one said rib of a second other said receptaclefrom said plurality of receptacles. 53- A storage unit as defined inclaim 52, wherein two receptacles from said plurality of receptacles areinterlocked such that said bases of said two receptacles aresubstantially similarly oriented and aligned. 54- A storage unit asdefined in claim 52, wherein two receptacles from said plurality ofreceptacles are interlocked such that said bases of said two receptaclesare substantially similarly oriented and offset. 55- A storage unit asdefined in claim 52, wherein two receptacles from said plurality ofreceptacles are interlocked such that said bases of said two receptaclesare oriented substantially perpendicularly to each other andsubstantially aligned. 56- A storage unit as defined in claim 52,wherein two receptacles from said plurality of receptacles areinterlocked such that said bases of said two receptacles are orientedsubstantially perpendicularly to each other and offset. 57- A storageunit as defined in claim 52, wherein two receptacles from said pluralityof receptacles are interlocked such that said bases of said tworeceptacles are oriented with an acute angle between each other withsubstantially aligned base centers. 58- A storage unit as defined inclaim 52, wherein two receptacles from said plurality of receptacles areinterlocked such that said bases of said two receptacles are orientedwith an acute angle between each other with offset base centers. 59- Astorage unit as defined in claim 52, wherein three receptacles from saidplurality of receptacles are interlocked such that a first specificreceptacle from said plurality of receptacles interlocks through a givensaid groove simultaneously with a second and a third said receptacle.60- A storage unit as defined in claim 52, further comprising a pivotmodule including an upper part and a lower part; a. said upper partbeing rotatably connected to said lower portion; b. said lower partbeing provided with a substantially elongated groove configured andsized to either: i. releasably interlock at least one rib of one saidreceptacle from said plurality of receptacles; or ii. releasablyinterlock simultaneously at least one said rib of a first saidreceptacle from said plurality of receptacles and at least one said ribof a second said receptacle from said plurality of receptacles. 61- Astorage unit as defined in claim 60, wherein said upper part is providedwith a substantially elongated rib configured and sized to releasablyinterlock with at least one said groove of one said receptacle from saidplurality of receptacles. 62- A storage unit as defined in claim 52,further comprising a top module including: a. a substantially flatportion provided with a groove adapted to interlock at least one rib ofone said receptacle from said plurality of receptacles; and b. asubstantially hemispheric portion provided with a plurality ofindentations configured and sized to receive the article. 63- A storageunit as defined in claim 62, wherein the article is a Compact Disc (CD)case. 64- A storage unit as defined in claim 62, wherein the article isa Digital Video Disc (DVD) case. 65- A receptacle for storing anarticle, said receptacle being usable with a similar receptacle forforming a storage unit, said receptacle comprising: a. a base defining atop surface and a bottom surface; b. a substantially elongated malemeans provided on said top surface; and c. a substantially elongatedfemale means provided on said bottom surface, said male means beingoriented at an acute angle with respect to said female means; wherein d.said male means and said female means are configured and sized such thatsaid receptacle and said similar receptacle are interlocked upon theinsertion of said male means of said receptacle into a female means ofsaid similar receptacle. 66- A receptacle as defined in claim 65,comprising a plurality of substantially elongated female means providedon said bottom surface, each female means from said plurality of femalemeans being configured and sized to releasably interlock the male meansof said similar receptacle. 67- A receptacle as defined in claim 66,said similar receptacle being a first similar receptacle, saidreceptacle being further usable with a second similar receptacle forforming a storage unit, wherein said plurality of female means furtherincludes a plurality of substantially elongated female means a. providedon said bottom surface; and b. configured and sized to releasablyinterlock simultaneously the male means of said first similar receptacleand a male means of said second similar receptacle. 68- A receptacle asdefined in claim 67, comprising a plurality of substantially elongatedmale means: a. provided on said top surface; and b. configured and sizedto releasably interlock a female means of said first similar receptacle.69- A receptacle for storing an article, said receptacle being usablewith a similar receptacle for forming a storage unit, said receptaclecomprising: a. a base defining a top surface and a bottom surface; b. astorage bay defined at least in part by said base and configured andsized for receiving the article; c. a substantially elongated ribextending substantially outwardly from said top surface; and d. asubstantially elongated groove provided on said bottom surface; whereini. said groove is configured and sized to releasably engage the rib ofsaid similar receptacle; and ii. said groove is oriented at an acuteangle with respect to said rib. 70- A receptacle for storing an article,said receptacle being usable with a similar receptacle for forming astorage unit, said receptacle comprising: a. a storage bay configuredand sized to store the article; b. a bottom portion located below saidstorage bay; and c. a top portion located above said storage bay;wherein d. said bottom and top portions are configured and sized suchthat said bottom portion of said receptacle can releasably engage thetop portion of said similar receptacle in at least five discretecoplanar orientations.